GearFlogger

Jansport Eichorn pack

Looking for a load-hauler that will get you through the summer and still be ready to rock and roll for ski season? Jansport's got a little somethin'-somethin' for ya. The Eichorn is part of Jansport's Cloudripper series of do-it-all technical outdoor packs. It's a bit of a porker, but you make it back with all-day comfort, stability and serious abuse-taking props. The Eichorn 60 liter regular sized pack weighs in at 4lb. 12oz (moo!), and the weight is in the extra-thick shoulder straps and hip belt, the tough ski-edge-repelling front facing, and the burly Arch Rival suspension.

Features are comprehensive: small elastic mesh pouches on both sides of the hip belt, dual gear loops, dual hypalon ski loops for A-frame carry, dual quart-bottle pouches, dual ice axe loops down low and velcro shaft-keepers up high, and dual stow-away compression straps for snowboard carry plus two extra clip-ins up high for diagonal ski carry in either direction. There is no top lid, and the main compartment has a nifty and fast roll-top closure. Inside is another compression strap and a smaller clip in point for hydration bladders, with exit ports on both sides. There are two other compartments: a high-mounted small compartment with mesh pocket and key clip, accessed by a zipper that goes around three sides of the pocket; and below that a tall shallow pocket with a side zip for layers.

All zipper pulls are glove-friendly with those little u-shaped stiffeners that keep them open, just waiting for you to give them the finger. The buckles are all those fancy power-pinch models, also glove-friendly. The fit is fully adjustable from 16 to 19 inches on the back via a clever and easy system. The hip belt has dual side-pulls, a GearFlogger favorite feature, and the shoulder straps are nicely contoured with a generous vertical adjustment on the sternum strap. Secret squirrel feature: there are is a 14 inch vertical zipper on the right side of the main compartment for another entry point, very useful if you pack accordingly.

The Eichorn carries nicely, with the extra-thick shoulder straps and hip belt easily absorbing the bumps and jumps on the trail. The honeycomb mesh back panel and hip belt are highly breathable. All in all it's a very livable pack, with all the features there when you need them and not getting in the way when you don't. If you're looking for a tough, four-season pack and don't mind a little extra cushion for the pushin' check out the Eichorn. Also available in a tall 70 liter model.

$225.00 at Paragon Sports

Jansport Salish backpack

Ever since Jansport hooked up with Ed Viesturs a few years back they've produced some really nice packs like the Ascent 52 and the Tahoma. On the quirkier side comes the Salish, a 3.5lb crossover pack that makes some odd design choices.

We call it a crossover pack because although it's light and relatively small - about 2,400ci or 35L - it has a floating lid with two zippered pockets and external attachment points including side compression straps and a funky three-point bottom webbing arrangement that let you get all crazy with your load. The foam framesheet is nonremovable and doesn't provide any support, although it does protect your back from the pack contents. The molded hip belt is actually fairly beefy, and includes a small elastic mesh pocket (the manufacturer product web site says they're zippered but they're not) on each side. Together these features seem a bit confused about what kind of pack they're supposed to add up to. A beefier frame would have made more sense.

The giant mesh pockets on each side are... different. You can leave the whole enchilada open, in which case your enchilada will likely end up on the trail because the pocket is not very deep. Or you can hook it along the opening, which is supposed to make it into two smaller pockets but really just makes it even more difficult to use. There's a shock cord that's supposed to cinch the opening closed but it too doesn't work very well.

The two front pockets are much more useful, with big glove-friendly stay-open zipper pulls and enough space for normal clothing items like shell jackets and pants. There's a hydration pocket that inexplicably zips open along one side (it's open at the top already), ice axe loops (WTF?) and adjustable sternum strap. Overall the pack actually carries well with twenty pounds or so, but the strange combination of features means this platypus of a pack doesn't compete well with any other packs in its class and at its price point.

$89.39 (on sale from $119.95) at Altrec

Jansport Ascent 52 pack

Jansport's technical packs deserve more attention than they get, and the Ascent 52 is a worthy contender in the 52L/3200ci category of alpine climbing packs, weighing in at a respectable 3lb 9oz for the size regular. The top lid unclips to save a few ounces, but the beefy plastic framesheet has to stay in to support the harness.

The Ascent is a top-loader that comes fully equipped with dual ice axe loops and keepers, ski loops for side carry, hydration sleeve with keeper toggle and single center tube port, a shovel pocket and floating top lid over a single main compartment. Dual side strech-mesh water bottle pockets, a generous 9in expansion sleeve and slots on each side of the waist belt for Ice Clippers or Caritools. The lid leaves plenty of room for your helmeted head to look up, important for the vertically minded among us. The plastic framesheet will comfortably support 30 to 40 pounds.

You get full-spectrum adjustments with two compression straps per side, load lifters, waist snuggers, sliding sternum strap and a rope strap over the main compartment. The hip belt is of the slim and stiff variety, which I happen to like because when cinched down it really locks in. It's also unadorned with pouches, for those who like a clean belt. A couple of plastic d-rings high on the front of the shoulder straps allow small items to be clipped in for ready use. All in all the Ascent is a very nice climbing pack for weekend outings.

$113.89 (on sale from $189.95) at Altrec

Jansport Tahoma pack

Jansport has been quietly making some nice little - and not-so-little - backcountry packs for a while now. The Tahoma is an alpine-flavored 75L/4,600ci pack that weighs in at just 4lb 4oz with plenty of features.

Dual ice axe loops with rip-and-stick keepers, dual water bottle pockets, zippered mesh pocket on the hip belt and even a helmet compatible top lid make the Tahoma suitable for moderate alpine routes. A side zippered stash pocket high up on the main bag is great for maps. The top lid floats and doubles as a lumbar pack, and there are compression straps for dialing in the load. The fit is plenty adjustable and various components can be removed to lighten the load further.

The Tahoma carries nicely, and feels sturdy for such a light pack. The profile is narrow enough that it feels maneuverable, and the zipper pulls work well with gloves. The keepers on the straps are a great touch, as anyone who has been brutally whipped in a high wind by flying pack straps will attest. It's hydration compatible with a clip for your hose, and there's a gear loop on the waist belt as well. The Tahoma is a great deal: lightweight, sturdy and feature complete, and while your load might break your back the price won't.

$198.95 (on sale from $280.00) at Sunny Sports